On Sideshow, curator Bloodshot Scott unearths, examines and displays roots music in its myriad forms. From unknown oddities to adored luminaries, it fits if he says it fits. Step right up, tune right in, and hear it only on Sideshow, folks!

CURRENT EPISODE

This month on Sideshow, we celebrate last year’s releases from Chicago indie powerhouse Bloodshot Records. With votes tallied from head publicist Josh Zanger and Web guru Mike Smith, we’ll spotlight the best of the best, of 2018. Tough decisions led to undisputed champs, and you, good listener, benefit from the polling. This is Chicago, of course, and so we may have all counted once, twice, thrice...and you should do the same, as you reach for cold ones to quaff, whilst listening to this month’s installment of Sideshow. Thank you for clicking in, and enjoy!

Scott Schaefer, host of DJ Bloodshot Scott's Sideshow and co-host of The Good Music Show, has been the lead singer for several stalwart Chicago indie rock outfits and has also blazed a trail through the cover tune circuit with his numerous acoustic duos. In addition to performing and recording, Scott also holds down various DJ residencies around town, from venues well-known to the forever unknown. Alongside his live musical endeavors, he has also carved a niche for himself on the industry side of the Chicago music scene, first as head of operations for the venerable Checkered Past Records label, and most recently as the label manager for local indie powerhouse Bloodshot Records. With the little free time he has left, he hosts Chicago's longest-running weekly open mic competition at Uncommon Ground. Scott is enveloped in music, and he wouldn't have it any other way.

EPISODE ARCHIVE

Last month, DJ Bloodshot Scott had the honor of providing the soundtrack welcoming eager patrons as the doors opened for the first day of the 25th year of revered punk rock watering hole Delilah's. One of Chicago's most unique boozy community centers, Delilah's boasts one of the world's most extensive and well-curated whiskey collections. If you missed that epic party, now is your chance to relive some of the revelry, tunes and energy that kicked off that celebratory night. "Congrats Delilah's, from DJ Bloodshot Scott — here's to another quarter century of music, art, community ... and a tipple or two. Cheers!"

Summer means road trips, and road trips mean freedom and adventure. This month, SIDESHOW gives a nod to both summer and road trips, and the wide-open possibility inherent in both. So, gas ‘er up, roll the windows down, crank the radio and let this set steer you to someplace new.

Set List:“One Piece at a Time” by Johnny Cash“Six Days on the Road” by Dave Dudley“I’ve Been Everywhere” by Hank Snow“King of the Road” by Roger Miller“Five Hundred Miles” by Bobby Bare“Ride” by Wayne Hancock“I Turned a Corner” by Paul Burch & The WPA Ballclub“Fast Train Down” by The Waco Brothers“A. On Horseback” by Charlie Pickett“Doreen” by The Old 97’s“Over the Cliff” by Jon Langford“Drunken Moon” by the Silos“Car Wheels on a Gravel Road” by Lucinda Wheels“Indianapolis” by The Bottle Rockets“Drive all Night” by Hadacol“Brand New Cadillac” by Vince Taylor & His Playboys“The Train Kept A-Rollin’” by Johnny Burnette“My Pink Cadillac” by Hal Willis“I Don’t Care” by Justin Townes Earle“Lost Highway” by The Mekons

This month I’m honored and humbled to pay tribute to the venerable indie roots label Checkered Past Records. I had the unique privilege of riding herd over this stable of peerless artists as Label Manager, for five-plus years. Through equal parts tirelessness, sacrifice and luck, we garnered critical acclaim and the attention of artists who we deeply respected ... all from my dining room on Roscoe Street, in Chicago. Halcyon days, and it paved the way for my next decade and a half as label manager at the lofty Bloodshot Records. A true gift, and here’s what it was all for…the music. These are musicians’ musicians: not merely incredible talents but, more importantly, genuinely wonderful people. Hats tipped and pinkies raised to Larry Lipson, Eric Babcock and Yvonne Schaefer Bates, wherever she may be. It has always been a labor of love. Enjoy.

On this month's installment of SIDESHOW, DJ Bloodshot Scott features tracks from new Bloodshot titles, all of them released in 2016. He rounds out the show with other timeless favorites. The best of new 2016 releases, through mid-year, with a nod to those artists who got the label here. Simply the best of the best!

This week Bloodshot Scott spotlights musical luminaries and trailblazers from our own City of Wind. From the early pop punk stylings of Epicycle and Green, to the anthemic choruses of Naked Raygun and the punishing, apocalyptic beats of early Big Black, Chicago has been fertile ground for seminal artists and new genres that have reverberated around the globe. Too many to cram in to one hour in fact, and so expect future shows to further highlight music from our kinda town!

Inspired by the coldest day of the year, and fueled by red wine as antifreeze, Bloodshot Scott is caught California dreaming, and traipsing through the far reaches of his record collection. Seeming randomness coalesces into perfect harmony as some of the most important and influential artists in the history of contemporary music share an hour together. Could only happen here.

This week, Bloodshot Scott draws from the wellspring of the No Depression movement. He pays homage to those who ignited the flame in the first place; waves to those who continued to carry the flame Olympian-style; and also gives a nod to those still standing, who will continue to fan the flames. Thankfully, said wellspring was spiked when he got there.

This week on SIDESHOW, Bloodshot Scott brings his series featuring local luminaries Bloodshot Records to a close, showcasing the label at its current 20-year mark. Spotlighting favorites from the past decade, Bloodshot Scott illuminates the unique strengths of this stalwart label, with an optimistic nod toward its creative future.

On this week's installment of SIDESHOW, Bloodshot Scott continues the series that spotlights his namesake, Bloodshot Records, and examines the label at their 10-year mark. A decade in, the label had already become a local institution and was well underway to firmly establishing itself on the national level.

On this week's installment, DJ Bloodshot Scott kicks off a series of shows dedicated to his namesake and alma mater, Chicago's very own Bloodshot Records. Here, he presents a snapshot of the label's inspired and influential first five years, showcasing the rise of soon-to-be-luminaries such as Neko Case and Ryan Adams, as well as brief glimpses of artists who remained on the margins such as the Hollisters and Red Star Belgrade. Enjoy this rare return to the halcyon days!